Sebastian Vettel has announced his retirement from F1 at the end of the 2022 season.
The 35-year-old, who is a four-time F1 Drivers’ Champion, will end his 15-year F1 career with the Aston Martin team.
He announced the news on his Instagram account, which was set up earlier on Thursday.
He said: “I hereby announce my retirement from Formula One by the end of the 2022 season.
“Probably I should start with a long list of people to thank now. But I feel it is more important to explain the reasons behind my decision.
“I love this sport. It has been central to my life since I can remember. But as much as there is life on track, there is my life off track too.
“Being a racing driver has never been my sole identity. I very much believe in identity by whoo we are, and how we treat others, rather than what we do.
“Who am I? I am Sebastian, father of three children and husband to a wonderful woman. I am curious, and easily fascinated by passionate or skilled people, I am obsessed by perfection.
“I am tolerant and feel we all have the same rights to live, no matter what we look like, where we come from and who we love.
“I love being outside. I am stubborn and impatient. I can be really annoying. I like to make people laugh. I like chocolate, and the smell of fresh bread. My favourite colour is blue. I believe in change and progress, and that every little bit makes a difference. I am an optimist and I believe people are good.
“Next, to racing. I have grown other interests outside of Formula One. My passion for racing and Formula One comes with lots of time spent away from them and takes a lot of energy.
“Committing to my passion the way I did, and the way I think is right, does no longer go side by side with my wish to be a great father and a great husband.”
Sebastian Vettel’s incredible F1 career after retirement announced
The German made his F1 debut with BMW Sauber, as a substitute for Robert Kubica at the 2007 United States Grand Prix. Vettel earned a point by finishing in eighth place.
His performance earned him a full-time seat at Toro Rosso – the sister team of Red Bull. He won his maiden Grand Prix at a rain-filled 2008 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. In the process, he became the youngest race winner in F1 history.
Vettel then moved to Red Bull for 2009. He won his first Drivers’ Championship in dramatic circumstances the following year, taking the chequered flag at Abu Dhabi to win the title at the final Grand Prix of the season.
He then won three more titles in consecutive years, before spells at Ferrari and Aston Martin followed.
At Ferrari, the German was a regular challenger for the Drivers’ Championship, but ultimately failed to add his four titles won at Red Bull.
He left the Italian team at the end of the 2020 season, moving to Aston Martin. He secured a second-place finish at the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Vettel followed this with another second-place finish in Hungary, but was disqualified due to a fuel infringement.
This season, the 35-year-old missed the opening two races after testing positive for Covid. He has 15 points, with a highest finishing position of sixth in Azerbaijan.
More to follow.
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